Repentance — Missionary Training Center presentation
Repentance — Missionary Training Center presentation
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRAINING – Provo Missionary Training Center — Repentance
1/ Quote from Elder Weatherford T. Clayton, May 2017: “As we act on Christ’s words, we are repenting. In the New Testament, repentance comes from Greek words meaning ‘to change one’s mind or purpose’. Every time we turn more to Christ, we are repenting – we are following Him. When we sincerely pray to the Father, in a very real sense we are repenting. When we read and ponder the scriptures, we are repenting. As we make changes because of what we are learning about Christ and His gospel, we are repenting. When we do things that make us better, kinder, gentler, more sensitive, more spiritual, we are repenting. Most of our repenting will come through hearing the words of Christ and doing them.”
2/ Recent teachings by President Russell M. Nelson concerning repentance:
- “Does everyone need to repent?” The answer is yes.
- Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan.
- When Jesus asks you and me to “repent,” He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit.
- Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process.
3/ As companions, find an example of someone in the scriptures who repented, and utilized the power of the Atonement of Christ. Find and share a verse or verses about this person’s experience. Some examples would be Enos (Enos 1:5-8), Alma (Alma 36:17-21), Zeezrom (Alma 15:5-12), Corianton (Alma 39:11-14 and 42:30-31), or Joseph Smith (JSH 1:28-29).
4/ Essential elements of repentance (not a checklist!):
- S orrow: 2 Corinthians 7:10 Characteristics of godly sorrow? Worldly sorrow?
- A bandonment: Doctrine and Covenants 58:43 Forsake? Babylon or Zion?
- C onfession: Mosiah 26:29 Me and thee!
- R estitution: As far as possible; the more serious the sin, the more difficult it is
- E xact obedience: Doctrine and Covenants 1:32 – all the commandments, not a few
- D iety: Alma 7:14 Christ suffered such that we might not suffer
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